Absence (Matthew Arnold) In this fair strangers eyes of grey Thine eyes, my love, I see I shudder: for the passing day Had borne me far from thee This is the curse of life: that not A nobler calmer train Of wiser thoughts and feelings blot Our passions from our brain But each day brings its petty dust Our soon-chok'd souls to fill And we forget because we must And not because we will I struggle towards the light; and ye Once-long'd-for storms of love! If with the light ye cannot be I bear that ye remove I struggle towards the light; but oh While yet the night is chill Upon Times barren, stormy flow Stay with me, Marguerite, still!